Company/Association News

• MICHAEL LLOYD was voted unanimously by the city council as the new chief of the York (NE) Fire Department (YFD). Lloyd takes over for former Chief Kevin Stuhr, who resigned several months ago. YFD Training/Safety Officer Tony Bestwick had been the acting YFD chief while a successor was chosen. Lloyd began his fire service career in 1980, serving with a variety of career and volunteer departments since then. He also serves as a captain with Offutt Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services, a full-service fire department providing structural and aircraft fire suppression in addition to emergency medical services, hazmat, and technical rescue.

• REBECCA RAMIREZ was hired as the new chief of the Woodland (CA) Fire Department. Ramirez, who was previously deputy chief of the West Sacramento (CA) Fire Department (WSFD), brings more than 25 years of fire service experience to Woodland. At WSFD, Ramirez rose through the ranks of firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, and division chief before being promoted to deputy chief in 2016. She has also held leadership positions in her labor organization, serving as the IAFF Local 522 union representative from 2007 to 2009.

• DAVID R. HERMAN was appointed as the new chief of the Hazelwood (MO) Fire Department. He replaces former Chief Dave Radel, who retired on January 31. Herman’s 37-year career in the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) profession began in December 1979 at the Glendale (MO) Fire Department. He then worked his way up to West County (MO) EMS and Fire, where he worked for 20 years. In addition, he’s been a firefighter/paramedic with the Maryland Heights (MO) Fire District for 13 years. Herman has received numerous awards and commendations including the 1994 West County Jaycees Firefighter of the Year award and the 1988 EMS Provider of the Year award from St. Louis’s Mercy Hospital.

• ROBERT GRIMWOOD was named the new fire chief and community emergency management coordinator for the town of the Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), Ontario, Canada. Grimwood previously served as the fire chief and manager of emergency services for Ontario’s Haldimand County. Grimwood is a lifelong NOTL resident and has served as a volunteer firefighter at Station No. 1 in Old Town, where he has held various roles, most recently as Station 1’s assistant district fire chief. Grimwood comes to NOTL after nine years in his role in Haldimand, where he oversaw the county’s fire department as well as its emergency medical services division.

• TONY MARCIANO was sworn in as the new chief of the Bloomingdale (NJ) Fire Department (BFD). Marciano joined the BFD in 1994 at the age of 20. His brother Barry was BFD chief from 2005 to 2007. The city of Bloomingdale has 43 volunteer firefighters, two fire stations, two fire engines, a rescue truck, and a 75-foot ladder truck. In addition to putting out building fires, the BFD fights brush fires and responds to vehicle extrications, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide alarms and assists the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad. The department responded to 184 calls last year.

company/association news

• THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES announced that Francis “Skip” Nerney was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as the state fire administrator at the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC). The OFPC is one of the most comprehensive state fire service organizations in the nation. Nerney has 30-plus years of public service experience in the planning and execution of fire administration, prevention, and community relations. Since 2014, He has been the deputy state fire administrator for operations, where he was responsible for supervising the fire operations and training and the special operations branch, which includes technical rescue and hazardous materials training and response.
• PIGEON MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIES (PMI) announced that Lawrence Black has joined the company’s Denver office as its strategic sales executive. Black is a veteran sales and business development leader whose long history of accomplishment includes a number of business turnarounds. PMI is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality rescue and safety equipment for fire and rescue. www.pmirope.com.
• PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. placed into service a pair of Pierce® Quantum® quint 105-foot heavy-duty aerial ladders with the Oshkosh (WI) Fire Department. The apparatus feature TAK-4® independent front suspension and the TAK-4 T3™ steering system, combining mechanical rear steering with a fully independent rear suspension for high-quality maneuverability, traction, and stability. Each of the identical pair of Quantum aerial ladders are equipped with a Detroit DD13 500-hp engine and a Command Zone™ advanced electronics and control system. The vehicles feature a GVW rating of 74,800 pounds and the tandem rear axles carry a GAWR rating of 52,000 pounds. www.piercemfg.com.
• RAM AIR announced Eric Magnuson of Kenmore, Washington, as the winner of its Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway. Magnuson was awarded a Ram Air 4-MU Gear Dryer for the Northshore (WA) Fire Department, where he serves. Sponsored by Ram Air Gear Dryer, the Hometown Heroes Gear Dryer Giveaway was established as a salute to the firefighters that serve our country. Launched at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International 2016, the sweepstakes was open to employees, volunteers, or retirees of any fire department within the United States of Canada. Magnuson was chosen from more than 2,000 entries. www.ramairgeardryer.com.
• THE PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF NEVADA (PFFN) announced that Las Vegas Fire Fighters Local 1285 and Henderson Professional Fire Fighters Local 1883 have been awarded two International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Media Awards for their public safety campaigns. The departments’ respective “Safe Pools Rule!” and “Check Your Seats in the Heat” campaigns were awarded first place in the Best Community/Education Outreach Project category, and the latter received second place in the Best Affiliate Social Media Video category. www.pffn.org.